Strawberry plant called `Balboa`

ABSTRACT

`Balboa` is a spring bearing variety which produces smooth glossy, attractive, full colored fruit, both on the surface and in the juicy flesh and has a very good flavor. 
     The crop is medium early in southern and central California and has the ability to produce a high volume of fruit in March, April and May in southern California, if the transplant is given proper chilling before being planted. 
     If grown in central California, the plants have the ability to continue production in the summer and fall. The plant is characterized by being medium dark and becoming large by summer. When vigorous, it is common to have one or more leaves per plant produce four leaflets per leaf instead of the normal three. 
     The fruit of the plant is also characterized by a large, dark calyx on primary berries which often produce a double row of serrated sepals. These sepals often become curled and are held irregularly, with narrow sepals, when present, held on the row away from the fruit, not next to the fruit.

DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct short day winter-plantedspring bearing variety of strawberry plant named `Balboa` which is theresult of a cross of the patented variety known as `Swede`, U.S. PlantPat. No. 6,191 and the variety `Douglas,` U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,487. Thevariety is identified as F. X ananassa Duch.

The seedlings resulting from the aforementioned cross were multiplied bystolen runners in Shasta County, Calif. in a propagating nursery ownedby Driscoll Strawberry Associates (DSA). Runner plants of each seedlingclone were taken for testing to fruiting beds on other properties ofDSA. The runners from clones of the seedling held in Shasta Countypropagating nursery were set for further testing on the property of DSA.These tests indicated the merits of the selection identified as 3V23 andit became a promising test variety. Subsequent tests of 3V23 on DSAcontrolled land proved that the selection had commercial value inCalifornia, and it was named `Balboa`. Thereafter, `Balboa` wasasexually reproduced by stolon runners at DSA's propagating nursery inShasta County, Calif.

IN THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a photograph taken on Apr. 15, 1994 in Oxnard, Calif., whichillustrates plant parts of the new variety, typical in size, shape andcolor.

The inflorescence and the fruit shown in the drawing represent the maincrop, not the crown crop. The crown crop comes from flowers that areinitiated in the plant grown at the nursery before being transplantedand the main crop comes from flowers initiated when the plant is growingin the fruiting bed. The berry, in cross section, illustrates fleshcolor and a characteristic core cavity. The leaf shown is typical, withbracts present on the petiole. In the drawing there are three leafletsper leaf illustrated, but one or more leaves per plant will often havefour leaflets per leaf. When plants are vigorous, often half or more ofthe plants will have leaves with four leaflets. The leaflet size istypical and the serrations pictured are moderately deep, but do not havean acute apex. These serrations are deeper, however, than the `JoeReiter` variety, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,300.

On May 19, in Oxnard, Calif., the average depth of the `Balboa` leafserrations was 5.05 mm and `Joe Reiter` was 4.18 mm. At this date, thecentral leaflet of `Balboa` was 7.6 cm wide and 7.6 cm long, while `JoeReiter` was 6.2 cm wide and 6.8 cm long. The petiolule of `Balboa` was9.4 mm and `Joe Reiter` was 7.2 mm. The petiole of `Balboa` was 12.7 cmand `Joe Reiter` was 16.6 cm.

The primary berry illustrated in the drawing has a smooth surface withtwo shallow longitudinal furrows visible and no seedy tips at its apex.The primary berry is long conic in outline and the secondary berries arelong wedge in outline as described in the U.S.D.A. Bulletin number 1043.These characteristics are typical of berries during this spring period.Primary berries of subsequent crops may be wedge shaped with areas ofthe apex coming to a plant but remain typically wedge shaped in outline.Also, during the spring period of 1994 in Oxnard, Calif., there is avery short to nonexistent common peduncle and the pedicel holding theprimary and secondary berries appears to originate at the crown asillustrated in the drawing. The flesh of the new variety is darker incolor, juicier, and usually equal in taste tests to the variety `JoeReiter`. Both varieties are considered to have excellent dessertqualities (See Table #1). The fruit size and crown crop of the newvariety is equal to or greater than that of `Joe Reiter`. `Balboa` hadsuperior production and larger fruit size than `Joe Reiter` (See Table#3).

While `Joe Reiter` and `Balboa` are considered moderately low chillingvarieties, they are not as low chilling as `Chandler`, U.S. Plant Pat.No. 5,262, and are not considered as early in production as `Chandler`.Both `Joe Reiter` and `Balboa` produce their first ripe crown cropberries two weeks after `Chandler`. The fruit of `Chandler` during thisearly period is rougher than `Balboa` or `Joe Reiter`. `Balboa` is lessrough than the `Joe Reiter` during this period.

By the middle of May in Oxnard, Calif., often the time when strawberryfruit production is converted to processing from the fresh market, theproduction of `Balboa` is greater than `Joe Reiter`. Tests in Oxnardproduced 723 gms per plant for `Balboa` compared to 641 gms per plantwith `Joe Reiter` by mid May if both varieties are given their correctchilling at the nursery and cold storage before being planted. Duringthe crown crop, the `Balboa` plant is smaller than `Joe Reiter` and maybecome equal in site during the main crop.

The major differences between `Balboa` and `Douglas`, one of the parentsof `Balboa`, are plant type and production during late summer and falland fruit shape and firmness. `Balboa` produces more fruit during latesummer and fall and becomes less vegetative during this period. Theshape of `Balboa` is more conic and less wedged shaped than `Douglas`and its skin and flesh are firmer than `Douglas`.

The `Balboa` variety is very dependent on having adequate chillingbefore being planted and especially in southern Calif. If insufficientchilling is given, this variety becomes very susceptible to Xanthomasfragariae and the plant becomes weak, giving poor total production.

The fruit of `Balboa` is darker inside and out and its size during thetotal fresh market season is larger than the `Joe Reiter`. The fruitproduction during the processing period, mid May through the first weekin July, is usually equal to that of `Joe Reiter` and reaches 450 gmsper plant.

In central California after May, the plant of `Balboa` becomes largerthan DSA's variety `Commander`, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,024. The leaves of`Balboa` are glossy but not as glossy as `Commander`. The leafletserrations are mostly deeper and the petiolules are longer than`Commander` but there are not consistent differences in the centralleaflet size. The hair on pedicels next to the fruit is perpendicular tothe pedicel of `Swede`, DSA's variety, U.S. Pat. No. 6191 which is oneparent of `Balboa`, and on `Balba` the hair is parallel. `Swede's`inflorescence is shorter than `Balboa`. `Balboa's` fruit has darkerflesh than `Swede` or `Commander` and the skin is darker than`Commander`, but equal to `Swede` and more uniform in color. `Swede`fruit has more splits at its apex than `Balboa`. The fruit size of thecrown crop of `Balboa` is not as large as `Swede` or `Commander`, butthere are less mis-shaped primaries on `Balboa`. The skin of `Balboa`after May is not as firm as `Commander`. Sepals of primary berries of`Balboa` are darker, more serrated, and more prone to be irregularlycurled than `Swede` or `Commander`.

The crown crop of `Balboa` usually comes the first week in April, aboutthe same time as `Commander`, but not as early as `Swede`. Flavor panelshave rated both `Balboa` and `Commander` very good. (See Table #2).

Table #4 summarizes the major differences between `Balboa` and `JoeReiter` in southern California. Table #5 summarizes differences between`Balboa` and the `Commander` and `Swede` in central California.

Flavor panel summary readings of `Balboa` compared to the `Commander`variety are listed on Table #2 and demonstrate the high dessert qualityof the `Balboa` variety.

The `Balboa` plant is susceptible to Xanthomonas fragariae, verticilliumwilt and the anthracnose disease caused by Collectotrichum acutatum andis moderately tolerant of powdery mildew. As a seeding and selection itwithstood noticeable injury from the natural infection of the knowncommon virus components of California. The plant is susceptible toinjury from the two spotted spider mite as well as flower thrip. Thefruit of `Balboa` is susceptible to the decay organisms, Botrytis andRhizopus.

The varietal characteristics of the novel plant described in detail wereobserved at various times of the year, but specific measurements arequalified by the time of year and location. Flavor and soluble solidratings also vary during the season and in some cases vary from locationto location. All measurements and descriptions were taken from the firstyear plants dug at a high elevation nursery during October and plantedat fruiting beds during late October or early November. Manycharacteristics such as plant size, crop, fruit size, shape and colorwill vary during the spring, summer and fall.

The color terminology is in accordance with the Munsell color system.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION

Morphological measurements, soluble solid readings as well as flavortest ratings, as seen below, vary depending on time of the year andlocation. Even though measurements and ratings are qualified by time andlocation, if a final statement is made, that statement is alsoqualified. Statements regarding varietal differences in these charactersbecome valid when there are consistent differences regardless of theactual measurement or rate at a given time of year.

Plant: Medium to large in size if given ample chilling before beingplanted. Not considered a low chilling type, but will produce anadequate plant in southern California. In central California it alsobecomes medium to large in size and can reach 30 cm in height and 40 cmin width by the last of April when planted at the correct time, andstill remain in a fruiting cycle the remainder of the first fruitingyear.

Leaves: Medium to large in size. In Watsonville, the central leafletaverages 7.12 to 6.87 in width and length in early April with serrationsthat are moderately deep averaging 5.05 mm, with an apex that ismoderately acute at the apex.

After April in Oxnard, the central leaflet averages 7.6 cm in length andwidth. The serration depth averages over 6 mm during the late summer inSanta Maria. Petioles are considered short in Oxnard during March andApril crop but becomes 12 to 13 cm in length during May and become over19 cm in the fall in Santa Maria when measurements are made from andincluding stipules to the petiolule. Petiolules moderate in lengthaveraging over 9 mm in May in Oxnard. Bracts on petioles may or may notbe present. After the crown crop of a winter planting, four leaflets mayform on one or more leaves on each plant instead of three. The presenceof four leaflets has become a noticeable identification of `Balboa`.Color of upper side of leaflet is 9.3 GY-3.0/6.8. Lower side is 9.5 GY-7.9/11.0.

Isozymes in Leaf Extract: Phosphoglucoisomerase (PG1) AI Leucineaminopeptidase (LAP) B3. Phosphoglucomutase (PGM) C2. This testing wasdone by the Driscoll Strawberry Associates laboratory followingprocedure described in the publication: Electrophoretic Characterizationof California Cultivars, by Bringhurst -- 1981 (See Table 4 and 5).

Runners: Runners are vigorous and considered abundant at the nursery andalso in fruiting beds if given more than ideal chilling before or afterbeing transplanted.

Inflorescence: Medium in length, short during the crown crop andbecoming longer during late summer, ranging from 29 to 38 cm with anaverage of 33 cm in total length in Santa Maria. The common peduncleduring the Spring, even to the end of May, is short, often 5 cm or lessin length with pedicels holding primary and secondary berry quite long,5 to over 20 cm in length. In late May in Watsonville, primary flowersincluding the calyx, become 50 mm or more in diameter with an average of6.6 petals per flower. During this period the petal width of primaryflowers average 17.5 mm and the pistils average 9.9 mm in diameter. Hairon pedicels irregularly parallel to the pedicel at the point where thepedicel joins the fruit, but the hair on the common peduncle of the sameinflorescence at the union with the crown, is perpendicular to thepeduncle. During summer and fall, the pedicel holding the primary berrymay originate from the axil of two peduncles or may originate from oneof the peduncles.

Fruit: Crown crop size is large in southern California and medium insize in central California. Crown crop primaries in southern Californiaaverage 47 mm in length and 38 mm in width. The average weigth per berryin Oxnard by April 9 is 30.9 gm on plantings that have ideal plantgrowth and production for the area. In central California this weight byMay 18, is 31.8 gms. By June 10 in Oxnard, the average weight per berryis 24 gms. The shape of crown crop fruit has rounded shoulders as wellas becoming round at the apex and is smooth. The main crop primaries aremore conic in outline with only slight longitudinal furrows present, butmay be medium to long wedge with an area of the apex often coming to apoint. Secondary and tertiaries berries have rounded shoulders, but mayeither be conic or medium to long wedge in outline. The skin and fleshis firm, but after May, holding test ratings become poorer, especiallywhen too much nitrogen fertilizer has been applied. The color outsidesurface is 6.8 R-2.6/9.4 and inside it is 8.3 R-3.5/13.0 to 6.6R-2.9/9.7 in width except around the core which is 7.7 R-5.5/16.4.

The aroma of fruit is equal to `Commander` but not as strong as `Swede`.

Seed: Medium in size and yellow except where exposed to full sun. Theseed is held equal to or below the fruit surface and this slightlysunken seed character varies during the year.

Calyx: Large dark calyx on primary fruit and average 45 to 50 mm indiameter the crown crop in Oxnard, and become larger during the maincrop, but average 34 mm during the fall crop in Santa Maria. Individualsepals of these primaries can vary in width from 4 mm to 13 mm on thesame calyx. Individual sepals are often held uniformly on the calyx butcan become curled and are held erratically. Some sepals are serrated atthe apex and some overlapping occurs. Sepal color on the side facingfruit is 8.9 GY-2.3/4.7 to 7.4 GY-2.3/4.0. Overlapping of sepals occursmainly on the primary flowers and when it occurs the narrow sepals areon the outside row, not on the inside next to the fruit.

                  TABLE #1                                                        ______________________________________                                        OXNARD FLAVOR TEST SUMMARY, 1993                                              ______________________________________                                                     `BALBOA`  `JOE REITER`                                           ______________________________________                                        FLAVOR*      3.0       3.2                                                    ______________________________________                                         *Average of 10 flavor tests comparing `Balboa` and `Joe Reiter`, done wit     fruit picked in Oxnard, CA and held in cold storage an average of 5 days      before being rated. Ratings based on scores of 1 to 5, 5 being the best. 

                  TABLE #2                                                        ______________________________________                                        SANTA MARIA AND WATSONVILLE                                                   FLAVOR TEST SUMMARY (1993-1994)                                               ______________________________________                                                     `BALBOA`  `COMMANDER`                                            ______________________________________                                        FLAVOR*      3.4       3.1                                                    ______________________________________                                         *Average of 4 flavor tests comparing `Balboa` and `Commander`, done with      fruit picked in Santa Maria and Watsonville, CA and held in cold storage      an average of 5 days before being rated. Ratings based on scores of 1 to      5, 5 being the best.                                                     

                  TABLE #3                                                        ______________________________________                                        OXNARD PRODUCTION THROUGH 4/2/94                                                           `BALBOA`                                                                              `JOE REITER`                                             ______________________________________                                        Number of Picks                                                                              10        9                                                    Grams/Plant    174.9     118.9                                                Avg. Grams/Berry                                                                             30.0      22.8                                                 % Culls        16.8%     15.5%                                                ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE #4                                                        ______________________________________                                        Major Differences - Oxnard, California                                        `Balboa`          `Joe Reiter`                                                ______________________________________                                        PLANT:            PLANT:                                                      1. Darker than `Joe Reiter`.                                                                    1. Lighter than `Balboa`.                                   2. 4 leaflets per leaf is                                                                       2. 4 leaflets per leaf not                                  common.           common.                                                     3. Bracts on petiole more                                                                       3. Bracts on petiole not as                                 common than `Joe Reiter`.                                                                       common as `Balboa`.                                         4. Isozyme Pattern PGI-AI                                                                       4. Isozyme Pattern PGI-A4                                   LAP-B3 PGM-C2     LAP-B3 PGM-C4                                               5. Plant smaller than `Joe                                                                      5. Plant larger than `Balboa`                               Reiter` up to June.                                                                             up to June.                                                 6. Very susceptible to                                                                          6. Not as susceptible to                                    Xanthomonas fragariae when not                                                                  Xanthomonas fragariae as                                    given adequate chilling before                                                                  `Balboa`.                                                   planting.                                                                     INFLORESCENCE:    INFLORESCENCE:                                              1. Calyx of primary flowers,                                                                    1. Calyx of primary flowers,                                when double row of sepals                                                                       when double row of sepals                                   present: narrow sepals curled                                                                   present: narrow sepals not                                  and are not next to fruit.                                                                      curled and are next to fruit.                               2. Sepals are darker in color                                                                   2. Sepals are lighter in color                              than `Joe Reiter`.                                                                              than ` Balboa`.                                             3. Serrated Sepals are common.                                                                  3. Serrated Sepals not as                                                     common as `Balboa`.                                         FRUIT:            FRUIT:                                                      1. Higher gloss than `Joe                                                                       1. Less gloss than `Balboa`.                                Reiter`.          2. More seedy tips than                                     2. Less seedy tips than `Joe                                                                    `Balboa`.                                                   Reiter`.          3. Lighter skin and flesh than                              3. Darker skin and flesh than                                                 very good flavor. `Balboa`                                                    very gooder`      4. Drier flesh than `Balboa`.                               flavor.           5. Becomes short wedge in                                   4. Juicier flesh than `Joe                                                                      May.                                                        Reiter`.          6. Less fresh market production                             5. Less short wedge in May                                                                      by Early May than `Balboa`                                  than `Joe Reiter`.                                                                              (same environment).                                         6. More fresh market                                                                            7. Less susceptible to Botrytis                             production by early May than                                                                    than `Balboa`.                                              `Joe Reiter` (same                                                            environment).                                                                 7. More susceptible to                                                        Botrytis than `Joe Reiter`.                                                   ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE #5                                                        ______________________________________                                        Major Differences - Santa Maria and Watsonville, California                   `Commander` `Balboa`      `Swede`                                             ______________________________________                                        PLANT:      PLANT:        PLANT:                                              1. Gloss to leaves:                                                                       1. Gloss to leaves:                                                                         1. Gloss to leaves:                                 very glossy - darker                                                                      glossy - dark.                                                                              glossy - medium dark.                               than `Balboa`.                                                                            2. Petiolule - length                                                                       2. Petiolule length                                 2. Petiolule - length                                                                     (May 1) 10.3 mm.                                                                            (May 1) 8.5 mm.                                     (May 1) 6 mm.                                                                             3. Leaflets per leaf:                                                                       3. Leaflets per leaf:                               3. Leaflets per leaf:                                                                     4 leaflets per leaf                                                                         4 leaflets per leaf                                 4 leaflets per leaf                                                                       common.       not common.                                         not common. 4. Isozyme Pattern:                                                                         4. Isozyme Patten:                                  4. Isozyme Pattern:                                                                       PGI-A1        PGI-A1                                              PGI-A4      LAP-B3-PGM-C2 LAP-B3-PGM-C2                                       LAP-B3-PGM-C4                                                                             5. Plant becomes                                                                            5. Plant not as large                               5. Plant equal to or                                                                      larger than   as `Balboa` after                                   smaller than                                                                              `Commander` or                                                                              May in same                                         `Balboa` after                                                                            `Swede` after environment.                                        May in same May in same                                                       environment.                                                                              environment.                                                      INFLORES-   INFLORES-     INFLORES-                                           CENCE:      CENCE:        CENCE:                                              1. Calyx of primary                                                                       1. Calyx of primary                                                                         1. Calyx of primary                                 flower: when                                                                              flower: when  flower: When                                        double row of                                                                             double row of double row of                                       Sepals present                                                                            sepals present                                                                              sepals present                                      narrow Sepals not                                                                         narrow sepals narrow sepals are                                   curled and are                                                                            curled and are not                                                                          not curled and are                                  next to fruit.                                                                            next to fruit.                                                                              next to fruit.                                      2. Sepals are dark                                                                        2. Sepals are darker                                                                        2. Sepals are lighter                               but not as dark as                                                                        than `Commander`                                                                            in color than                                       `Balboa`.   or `Swede`.   `Balboa`.                                           3. Serrations on                                                                          3. Serrated Sepals                                                                          3. Serrations on                                    Sepals not as                                                                             are common.   Sepals not as                                       common as `Balboa`.                                                                       4. Hair on pedicel                                                                          common as `Balboa`.                                 4. Hair on pedicels                                                                       next to fruit parallel                                                                      4. Hair on pedicel                                  next to fruit parallel                                                                    to pedicel.   next to fruit                                       to pedicel. 5. Much of fruit                                                                            perpendicular to                                    5. Much of fruit                                                                          ripens farther from                                                                         pedicel.                                            ripens farther from                                                                       crown than outside                                                                          5. Fruit ripens closer                              crown than outside                                                                        leaves.       to crown than                                       leaves.                   `Balboa`.                                           FRUIT:      FRUIT:        FRUIT:                                              1. Skin and flesh                                                                         1. Skin and flesh                                                                           1. Flesh lighter than                               lighter than                                                                  skin may    darker than   `Balboa`                                            `Balboa` .  `Commander` and                                                                             equal `Balboa` color.                               2. Some fruit may                                                                         `Swede.`      2. Calyx of                                         become bullet                                                                             2. Calyx of   secondaries not                                     shaped.     secondaries may be                                                                          necked or bullet                                    3. Primaries not                                                                          slightly reflexed but                                                                       shaped.                                             prone to split                                                                            fruit not bullet                                                                            3. Primaries prone to                               at apex.    shaped.       split at apex.                                      4. Seed usually                                                                           3. Primaries not                                                                            4. Seed mostly equal                                equal to or exerted.                                                                      prone to split                                                                              to surface or exerted.                              5. Primary berries                                                                        at apex.      5. Primary berries                                  large.      4. Seed mostly equal                                                                        large.                                                          to surface but may                                                            become inserted or                                                            exerted.                                                                      5. Primary berries                                                            large but not                                                                 as large as                                                                   `Commander` or                                                                `Swede`.                                                          ______________________________________                                    

We claim:
 1. The new and distinct variety of strawberry plant hereindescribed and illustrated, and identified by the characteristicsenumerated above.